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Football star Cristiano Ronaldo toppled Lionel Messi and became the highest-paid footballer of the year 2021. According to Forbes, the Portgual player is set to earn $125m before taxes in the 2021-22 season. The 36-year-old will earn 70 million from his club Manchester United and will approximately earn 55 million from endorsements.
Lionel Messi, who topped the list last year, came 2nd on the list with estimated earnings of $110m, with $75m coming from his salary and bonuses at the Parc des Princes.
Meanwhile, Messi’s teammates Neymar and Kylian Mbappe are 3rd and 4th on the Forbes' list, respectively.
Neymar is set to earn $95m this season, while Mbappe is expected to take $43m in the 2021-22 season.
Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah is fifth in the rankings with expected earnings of $41m, while Bayern Munich superstar Robert Lewandowski is sixth with $35m.
Former Barcelona player Andres Iniesta claims the 7th spot with earnings of $35m. Eighth on the list is Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba, who is set to make $34m.
Real Madrid's Gareth Bale holds the ninth spot with expected earnings of $32m.
Former Chelsea winger Eden Hazard, who is set to earn $29m, completes the top 10 list.